U.S. patent application number 15/250093 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-30 for image formation apparatus, image formation method, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium that stores image formation program.
This patent application is currently assigned to Konica Minolta, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Konica Minolta, Inc.. Invention is credited to Ken Miyazaki.
Application Number | 20170094097 15/250093 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58407638 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170094097 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miyazaki; Ken |
March 30, 2017 |
IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMATION METHOD, AND
NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM THAT STORES IMAGE
FORMATION PROGRAM
Abstract
An image formation section that forms an image on a transfer
medium, a memory section that records transfer medium information
on the transfer medium, and a control section that controls an
image formation apparatus are provided, and the control section has
a memorandum function of recording at least setting information
relating to the transfer medium in the form of a memorandum in the
memory section. The content of the memorandum is memorized as part
of the transfer medium information or in relation to the transfer
medium information.
Inventors: |
Miyazaki; Ken; (Sagamihara,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Konica Minolta, Inc. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Konica Minolta, Inc.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
58407638 |
Appl. No.: |
15/250093 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2201/0094 20130101;
H04N 1/2323 20130101; H04N 1/2392 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/23 20060101
H04N001/23 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 24, 2015 |
JP |
2015-187189 |
Claims
1. An image formation apparatus comprising: an image formation
section that forms an image on a transfer medium; a memory section
that records transfer medium information on the transfer medium;
and a control section that controls the image formation apparatus,
wherein the control section has a memorandum function of recording
at least setting information relating to the transfer medium in the
form of a memorandum in the memory section.
2. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
control section memorizes a content of the memorandum as part of
the transfer medium information in the memory section.
3. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
control section memorizes a content of the memorandum in relation
to the transfer medium information in the memory section.
4. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
control section displays a content of the memorandum in a display
area different from a display area where the transfer medium
information other than the content of the memorandum is
displayed.
5. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
control section is capable of setting enabling or disabling of a
function of displaying a content of the memorandum.
6. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
setting information recorded in the form of the memorandum is a
mechanical adjustment value of the image formation apparatus.
7. The image formation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
control section is unable to control mechanical adjustment based on
the mechanical adjustment value.
8. The image formation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
setting information recorded in the form of the memorandum is
defined as a first mechanical adjustment value, a second mechanical
adjustment value is contained in the transfer medium information
other than a content of the memorandum, and mechanical adjustment
relating to the second mechanical adjustment value is controllable
by the control section.
9. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
control section displays the setting information and an
illustration that describes a content of the setting information in
a display area different from a display area where the transfer
medium information other than a content of the memorandum is
displayed.
10. The image formation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the
control section allows input to the displayed setting
information.
11. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
when the transfer medium information is read from the memory
section, the control section allows display of the setting
information in the form of the memorandum and input of a
memorandum.
12. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
when image formation on the transfer medium starts, and when the
content of a memorandum is displayed, the control section closes a
display screen in which the content of the memorandum is
displayed.
13. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
control section does not compare the setting information with an
actual setting value for confirmation.
14. An image formation method for forming an image on a transfer
medium, the method comprising: recording transfer medium
information on the transfer medium; and recording at least setting
information relating to the transfer medium in a form of a
memorandum.
15. The image formation method according to claim 14, wherein a
content of the memorandum is memorized as part of the transfer
medium information or in relation to the transfer medium
information.
16. The image formation method according to claim 14, wherein a
content of the memorandum is displayed in a display area different
from a display area where the transfer medium information other
than the content of the memorandum is displayed.
17. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium that stores
an image formation program executed by a control section that
controls an image formation apparatus, the image formation program
comprising: a transfer medium information memorizing step of
recording transfer medium information on a transfer medium in a
memory section; and a memorandum memorizing step of recording at
least setting information relating to the transfer medium in a form
of a memorandum in the memory section.
18. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium that
stores an image formation program according to claim 17, wherein in
the memorandum memorizing step, a content of the memorandum is
memorized in the memory section as part of the transfer medium
information or in relation to the transfer medium information.
19. The non-transitory computer readable recording medium that
stores an image formation program according to claim 17, wherein
the image formation program further comprises a display step of
displaying a content of the memorandum in a display area different
from a display area where the transfer medium information other
than the content of the memorandum is displayed.
Description
[0001] The present U. S. patent application claims a priority under
the Paris Convention of Japanese patent application No. 2015-187189
filed on Sep. 24, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated
herein by references.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image formation
apparatus capable of use of a sheet profile, an image formation
method capable of the same, and a non-transitory computer readable
recording medium that stores an image formation program capable of
the same.
[0004] Description of the Related Art
[0005] In an image formation apparatus, sheet type information is
registered in information on setting of a sheet feed tray that
feeds sheets, and an image is printed on a sheet of a predetermined
sheet type fed from the sheet feed tray according to the printing
conditions in image formation.
[0006] In related art, to set the sheet type information in the
sheet feed tray setting information, frequently used sheet type
information is registered as a sheet profile in advance, and the
information is extracted from the sheet profile and set. The sheet
type information can thus be readily set.
[0007] On the other hand, an image formation apparatus requires
mechanical adjustment before printing in some cases. For example,
in a case where continuous printing sheet is used as the sheet,
"winding adjustment" and "shaft control," in which sheet tension is
adjusted, "ionizer," which removes static electricity, and other
types of adjustment are required, and it is necessary to change the
types of adjustment in accordance with the type of sheet, the
environment in which the apparatus is installed, and other factors.
Adjustment values in accordance with which the adjustments are made
need to be managed on a sheet basis.
[0008] To this end, an operator needs to manage the adjustment
values for each sheet on a "paper basis" and therefore needs to
keep possessing a table, such as the table below.
[0009] For example, 140 types of sheets are assumed to be used at
present, and it is therefore very hard to pick one up from the
following table. The operator possibly mistakenly picks a wrong one
up, and it is desired to improve work efficiency and lower the
frequency of the operator's mistake.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Wound Shaft Sheet profile amount control
Ionizer Photo glossy roll Hi non- use rotation Matte rolled paper
Lo rotation not use Rolled paper for high-grade Hi non-use photo
rotation Yupo roll (waterproof) Lo rotation not use Yupo tack(with
grey tinting Hi non- use adhesive on the back) rotation
Double-sided Yupo roll Lo rotation not use Yupo suction tac Hi non-
use rotation Matte vinyl chloride roll Lo rotation not use with
adhesive Back light film roll Hi non- use rotation PET film roll Lo
rotation not use Glossy transparent label Hi nonuse- roll rotation
Eastlon reef M-NF Lo rotation not use
[0010] For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-36229
proposes that even in a case where a third party's finisher the
performance of which is unknown is connected to an image formation
apparatus, appropriate advance evaluation before printing starts
allows sheet ejection to be suspended in response to error
notification from the finisher and further allows the sheet having
caused the error to be displayed, and registering the sheet as a
non-feedable sheet in a sheet feeding evaluation table allows a
message stating whether a usable sheet has been set to be displayed
in a panel in advance for prevention of decrease in the work
efficiency.
[0011] The mechanical adjustment values described above and other
values can be readily grasped, for example, by registration of the
values in a sheet profile. However, since the mechanical adjustment
values and other values vary depending on the model of the image
formation apparatus, firmware and other types of software for the
registration need to be prepared on an image formation apparatus
model basis, and this is a cumbersome task. Further, in a case
where sheet profiles are put together for management, it is
difficult to put sheet profiles having different setting items
together and manage them. A method for readily registering the
mechanical adjustment value and other values in relation to sheet
information is therefore desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the
circumstances described above as the background, and an object of
the present invention is to provide an image formation apparatus
capable of easy registration of mechanical adjustment values and
other values in relation to information on a transfer medium, an
image formation method capable of the same, and a computer readable
recording medium that stores an image formation program capable of
the same.
[0013] To achieve at least one of the abovementioned objects,
according to an aspect, an image formation apparatus reflecting one
aspect of the present invention includes
[0014] an image formation section that forms an image on a transfer
medium,
[0015] a memory section that records transfer medium information on
the transfer medium, and
[0016] a control section that controls the image formation
apparatus, and
[0017] the control section has a memorandum function of recording
at least setting information relating to the transfer medium in the
form of a memorandum in the memory section.
[0018] In the image formation apparatus according to the
abovementioned aspect, it is preferable that the control section
memorizes a content of the memorandum as part of the transfer
medium information in the memory section.
[0019] In the image formation apparatus according to the
abovementioned aspect, it is preferable that the control section
memorizes a content of the memorandum in relation to the transfer
medium information in the memory section.
[0020] In the image formation apparatus according to the
abovementioned aspect, it is preferable that the control section
displays a content of the memorandum in a display area different
from a display area where the transfer medium information other
than the content of the memorandum is displayed.
[0021] In the image formation apparatus according to the
abovementioned aspect, it is preferable that the control section is
capable of setting enabling or disabling of a function of
displaying a content of the memorandum.
[0022] In the image formation apparatus according to the
abovementioned aspect, it is preferable that the setting
information recorded in the form of the memorandum is a mechanical
adjustment value of the image formation apparatus.
[0023] In the image formation apparatus according to the
abovementioned aspect, it is preferable that the control section is
unable to control mechanical adjustment based on the mechanical
adjustment value.
[0024] In the image formation apparatus according to the
abovementioned aspect, it is preferable that the setting
information recorded in the form of the memorandum is defined as a
first mechanical adjustment value, a second mechanical adjustment
value is contained in the transfer medium information other than a
content of the memorandum, and mechanical adjustment relating to
the second mechanical adjustment value is controllable by the
control section.
[0025] In the image formation apparatus according to the
abovementioned aspect, it is preferable that the control section
displays the setting information and an illustration that describes
a content of the setting information in a display area different
from a display area where the transfer medium information other
than a content of the memorandum is displayed.
[0026] In the image formation apparatus according to the
abovementioned aspect, it is preferable that the control section
allows input to the displayed setting information.
[0027] In the image formation apparatus according to the
abovementioned aspect, it is preferable that, when the transfer
medium information is read from the memory section, the control
section allows display of the setting information in the form of
the memorandum and input of a memorandum.
[0028] In the image formation apparatus according to the
abovementioned aspect, it is preferable that, when image formation
on the transfer medium starts, and when the content of a memorandum
is displayed, the control section closes a display screen in which
the content of the memorandum is displayed.
[0029] In the image formation apparatus according to the
abovementioned aspect, it is preferable that the control section
does not compare the setting information with an actual setting
value for confirmation.
[0030] To achieve at least one of the abovementioned objects,
according to an aspect, an image formation method reflecting one
aspect of the present invention is an image formation method for
forming an image on a transfer medium, the method including
[0031] recording transfer medium information on the transfer
medium, and
[0032] recording at least setting information relating to the
transfer medium in a form of a memorandum.
[0033] To achieve at least one of the abovementioned objects,
according to an aspect, a non-transitory computer readable
recording medium that stores an image formation program reflecting
one aspect of the present invention is a non-transitory computer
readable recording medium that stores an image formation program
executed by a control section that controls an image formation
apparatus, the image formation program including
[0034] a transfer medium information memorizing step of recording
transfer medium information on a transfer medium in a memory
section, and
[0035] a memorandum memorizing step of recording at least setting
information relating to the transfer medium in a form of a
memorandum in the memory section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the
present invention will become more fully understood from the
detailed description given hereinbelow and the appended drawings
which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not
intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention,
and wherein:
[0037] FIG. 1 shows a mechanical overview of an image formation
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 2 describes the structure of a sheet feed adjuster and
mechanical adjustment in the sheet feed adjuster in the embodiment
of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram of the image formation
apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 4 describes the structure of a sheet profile database
and how to save the database in the embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing the procedure of
extracting and registering a sheet profile in the embodiment of the
present invention;
[0042] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing the procedure of
extracting and displaying a sheet profile in the embodiment of the
present invention;
[0043] FIG. 7 describes examples of a screen in which a sheet
profile is extracted and displayed in the embodiment of the present
invention;
[0044] FIG. 8 describes an example of a screen in which a
memorandum of a sheet profile is displayed in the embodiment of the
present invention;
[0045] FIG. 9 describes another example of the screen in which a
memorandum of a sheet profile is extracted and displayed in the
embodiment of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 10 describes an example of a screen in which a
memorandum of a sheet profile is extracted; and
[0047] FIG. 11 describes an example of a screen in which the
content of the memorandum of the sheet profile is displayed and an
example of a screen in which the content is set.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0048] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the
invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.
[0049] An embodiment of the present invention will be described
below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0050] FIG. 1 shows a mechanical overview of an image formation
apparatus according to the embodiment.
[0051] An image formation apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main
body 1A having an image formation section 13, with a sheet feed
adjuster 300 connected to the upstream side of the apparatus main
body 1A and a sheet feeder 200 connected to the upstream side of
the sheet feed adjuster 300. Further, a sheet ejection adjuster 400
is connected to the sheet ejection side of the apparatus main body
1A, and a winder 500 is connected to the sheet ejection side of the
sheet ejection adjuster 400.
[0052] The embodiment is described on the assumption that the
apparatus main body 1A and the sections connected to the apparatus
main body 1A form the image formation apparatus 1, but the types
and the numbers of sections connected to the apparatus main body 1A
are not limited to specific types or numbers, and only the
apparatus main body 1A can form the image formation apparatus. In
this case, the apparatus main body 1A can form, along with other
sections, an image formation system.
[0053] The sheet feeder 200 has a function of accommodating,
holding, and feeding a roll of sheet S as a continuous sheet.
[0054] The sheet feed adjuster 300 has a buffer function of
absorbing a small difference in speed and a small shift between the
sheet feeder 200 and the apparatus main body 1A. The sheet ejection
adjuster 400 has a buffer function of absorbing a small difference
in speed and a small shift between the apparatus main body 1A and
the winder 500. A cutter that cuts the roll of sheet can be
installed between the apparatus main body 1A and the winder 500,
and the cutter can perform the cutting in an offline process. The
winder 500 has a function of winding the ejected roll of sheet and
holding the wound roll of sheet.
[0055] In the embodiment, a roll of sheet is used as the continuous
sheet, but the continuous sheet is not limited to a roll of sheet
and only needs to be a sheet in a continuous form. For example, the
continuous sheet includes a continuous slip sheet and a continuous
business sheet. The continuous sheet can be provided in the form of
a roll of sheet or can instead be provided in the form of an
alternately folded stack of paper. The continuous sheet corresponds
to a continuous transfer medium in the present invention. It is not
necessarily essential that the continuous transfer medium is made
of paper.
[0056] Further, the image formation apparatus according to the
present invention can handle discrete sheets instead of a
continuous sheet.
[0057] The continuous sheet and the discrete sheets described above
correspond to the transfer medium in the present invention, but the
material of the transfer medium in the present invention is not
limited to paper.
[0058] The image formation apparatus 1 has the image formation
section 13, which forms an image on a sheet, in the apparatus main
body 1A, and further has an operation section 140, which accepts an
operator's operation and displays information, in an upper portion
of the apparatus main body 1A. The operation section 140 can be
formed of two separate sections, an operation section operated by
the operator and a display section that displays information. The
operation section and the display section can instead be integrated
with each other to form, for example, a touch panel LCD.
[0059] The image formation apparatus 1 has a transport path 22
starting from the sheet feeder 200 via the sheet feed adjuster 300
and reaching the image formation section 13 and further starting
from the image formation section 13 via the sheet ejection adjuster
400 and reaching the winder 500.
[0060] The roll of sheet S accommodated in the sheet feeder 200 is
fed along the transport path 22.
[0061] In the embodiment, the transport path 22, a transport
roller, a motor that is not shown but drives a roller so driven as
to rotate, and other components form a transport section.
[0062] The image formation section 13 has a photosensitive bodies
15 provided for multiple colors (such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and
black), and a charger, a writer, and a development unit that are
not shown are disposed in the space around each of the
photosensitive bodies. The surface of each of the photosensitive
bodies charged with the charger is exposed to image light produced
by the writer, such as an LD, on the basis of information on an
image of a document recorded in an image memory or any other memory
device. A latent image is thus formed on the surface of each of the
photosensitive bodies 15. The latent image is developed by the
development unit into a toner image. The toner image is transferred
to an intermediate transfer belt 16, and the images on the
intermediate transfer belt 16 are transferred via a secondary
transfer roller 18 onto the roll of sheet S transported along the
transport path 22. The present invention has been described with
reference to a color image formation apparatus having
photosensitive bodies for multiple colors and the intermediate
transfer belt, but the image formation apparatus according to the
present invention can instead be formed of a black-and-white image
formation apparatus.
[0063] The image transferred in the image formation section 13 is
heated and pressurized by a fixing section 19, and the resultant
fixed image is ejected out of the apparatus main body 1A as the
roll of sheet is transported.
[0064] FIG. 2 are enlarged views (FIGS. 2A to 2D) each showing a
mechanical internal structure of the sheet feed adjuster 300 and
examples of adjustment and change.
[0065] The sheet feed adjuster 300 has an adjustment mechanism 310
and is capable of mechanical adjustment. The adjustment mechanism
310 has a rotary transport roller 311, which is located on the
sheet introduction side and along which a sheet is caused to run,
and a movable rotary roller 312, which is adjacent to the rotary
transport roller 311, and the sheet is caused to run between the
two rollers. An intermediate roller 313 is disposed in a position
downstream of the rollers, and a rotation adjustment roller 315 and
a rotary roller 316 are disposed in this order in further
downstream positions. A configuration in which the continuous sheet
is ejected is thus formed in the rear stage of the adjustment
mechanism 310. The adjustment mechanism 310 can further include a
transport member, such as another roller.
[0066] The movable rotary roller 312 is movable upward and downward
along an arcuate path, and changing the position where the movable
rotary roller 312 is set allows change in the amount of wound
continuous sheet caused to run between the rotary transport roller
311 and the movable rotary roller 312.
[0067] In FIG. 2A, the movable rotary roller 312 is set in a high
position (Hi), where a long wound length is achieved. In FIG. 2B,
the movable rotary roller 312 is set in a low position (Lo), where
a short wound length is achieved.
[0068] In this example, the position of the movable rotary roller
312 can be changed between the two discrete positions. However, the
number of positions is not limited to a specific value, and the
position can instead be changed continuously.
[0069] The sheet is caused to run between the rotation adjustment
roller 315 and the rotary roller 316, and the state of the rotation
adjustment roller 315 is switchable between rotatable and
non-rotatable. The switching allows adjustment of tension acting on
the sheet.
[0070] In FIG. 2C, the state of the rotation adjustment roller 315
is set to be non-rotatable, which increases the tension acting on
the sheet between the rotation adjustment roller 315 and the rotary
roller 316. In FIG. 2D, the state of the rotation adjustment roller
315 is set to be rotatable, which decreases the tension acting on
the sheet between the rotation adjustment roller 315 and the rotary
roller 316.
[0071] The rotation adjustment roller 315 can be configured to
further allow torque produced when it rotates to be changed
stepwise or continuously in addition to the switching between the
rotatable state and the non-rotatable state.
[0072] The image formation apparatus 1 will next be functionally
described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 3.
[0073] The image formation apparatus 1 includes, as a primary
configuration thereof, a copier main body having a control block
110, the operation section 140, and a printer section 150 and an
image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160, which
processes image data inputted from and outputted to an external
apparatus (PC) 3 over a network 10.
[0074] The control block 110 has a PCI bus 112, and the PCI bus 112
is connected to a DRAM control IC 111 in the control block 110.
[0075] The control block 110 further includes a control CPU 113,
and the DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the control CPU 113. A
nonvolatile memory 115 is further connected to the control CPU 113.
The nonvolatile memory 115 stores a program that allows the control
CPU 113 to operate, data for setting the image formation apparatus
1, process control parameters, tray settings, sheet profiles, and
other pieces of information. The nonvolatile memory that stores the
sheet profiles corresponds to the memory section in the present
invention. The sheet profiles can instead be stored in another
memory section provided in the image formation apparatus or can
still instead be stored in an external memory device connected to
the apparatus main body 1A or a memory device attachable to and
detachable from the apparatus main body 1A.
[0076] The control CPU 113 controls the entire image formation
apparatus 1 and grasps the state of the entire image formation
apparatus, specifically, performs rolled sheet transport control,
image formation control, and other types of control. That is, the
control CPU 113 functions as the control section in the present
invention.
[0077] An image formation program that allows the control CPU 113
to operate is stored on a computer readable recording medium, and
the nonvolatile memory 115 corresponds to the memory medium in the
present invention. The image formation program can instead be a
program stored in a mobile memory medium and distributed in the
form of the mobile memory medium. In a case where the image
formation apparatus includes an HDD or an SSD, the image formation
program can be stored in the HDD or the SSD. In this case, the HDD
or the SSD corresponds to the memory medium in the present
invention.
[0078] The image data, which is read, for example, with a scanner,
is processed by a read processor 116. The read processor 116 is
connected to a compression IC 117, which compresses the image data
in a predetermined method. The compression IC 117 is connected to
the DRAM control IC 111.
[0079] The operation section 140 described above includes a
touch-panel-type LCD 141 and an operation section control section
142. The LCD 141 and the operation section control section 142 are
connected to each other, and the operation section control section
142 is so connected to the control CPU 113 that they can
communicate with each other in serial communication. The
configuration described above allows the control CPU 113 to control
the operation section 140. The operation section control section
142 can be formed of a CPU, a program that allows the CPU to
operate, and other components.
[0080] The operation section 140 is used to perform setting of the
apparatus main body 1A, the sheet feeder 200, the sheet feed
adjuster 300, and the sheet ejection adjuster 400 and controls
image formation and sheet feeding from the sheet feeder 200 to the
winder 500 on the basis of the settings.
[0081] The operation section 140 allows settings in the image
formation apparatus 1 and input of action control conditions, such
as action instructions, and further allows the contents of the
settings, the state of the machine, and information on the machine
to be displayed or otherwise handled, and the operation section 140
is controlled by the control CPU 113. The operation section 140
allows predetermined and other types of operation. For example, the
operation section 140 allows mechanical adjustment values to be
recorded by use of a memorandum function and stored in a recording
section.
[0082] The DRAM control IC 111 is connected to an image memory 120
formed of a compression memory 121 and a page memory 122. The image
memory 120 stores image data acquired with a scanner and image data
acquired over the network.
[0083] The image memory 120 is an area where the image data is
memorized and stores image data on a job to be printed. The DRAM
control IC 111 allows the image memory 120 to memorize image data
on a plurality of jobs.
[0084] The compression IC 117, which compresses the image data, and
an expansion IC 123, which expands the compressed data, are
connected to the DRAM control IC 111. A write processor 124 is
connected to the expansion IC 123. The write processor 124 is
connected to an LD 154A in the printer section 150 and processes
data used to cause the LD 154A operate. The LD 154A collectively
refers to LDs for multiple colors. The printer section 150 controls
the transport section, which includes the image formation section
13 and the transport path 22.
[0085] The printer section 150 includes a printer control section
151, which controls the entire printer section 150, and the printer
control section 151 is connected to the control CPU 113 described
above and controlled by the control CPU 113. That is, printing
action is initiated and terminated in accordance with parameters
given by the control CPU 113. The sheet feeder 200 and the winder
500 are so connected to the printer control section 151 as to be
controllable by the printer control section 151, and the control
CPU 113 can issue control instructions via the printer control
section 151 to feed and wind the roll of sheet.
[0086] A DRAM control IC 161 in the image processing unit (print
& scanner controller) 160 described above is connected to the
PCI bus 112, which is connected to the DRAM control IC 111
described above. In the image processing unit (print & scanner
controller) 160, an image memory 162 is connected to the DRAM
control IC 161. Further, in the image processing unit (print &
scanner controller) 160, a controller control CPU 163 is connected
to the DRAM control IC 161, and a LAN interface 165 is connected to
the DRAM control IC 161. The LAN interface 165 is connected to the
network 10.
[0087] The external apparatus (PC) 3 and other components are
connected to the network 10, whereby image data can be transmitted
to and received from the image formation apparatus 1.
[0088] Basis action of the image formation apparatus 1 will next be
described.
[0089] The procedure of accumulating image data in the image
formation apparatus 1 will first be described.
[0090] In a case where an image of a document is read with a
scanner to produce image data, the scanner optically reads an image
of the document. The read processor 116 causes the read image to
undergo data processing, and the compression IC 117 compresses the
image data having undergone the data processing by using a
predetermined method and stores the compressed image data in the
compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 111. The image data
stored in the compression memory 121 can be managed as a job by the
control CPU 113.
[0091] In a case where image data is externally acquired, for
example, image data transmitted from the external apparatus (PC) 3
over the network 10 is stored in the image memory 162 via the LAN
interface 165 by the DRAM control IC 161, which is controlled by
the controller control CPU 163. The data in the image memory 162 is
temporarily stored in the page memory 122 via the DRAM control IC
161, the PCI bus 112, and the DRAM control IC 111. The data stored
in the page memory 122 is successively sent to the compression IC
117 via the DRAM control IC 111, compressed, stored in the
compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 111, and managed by
the control CPU 113 in the same manner described above.
[0092] In a case where the image formation apparatus 1 outputs an
image, that is, in a case where the image formation apparatus 1 is
used as a copier or a printer, the image data stored in the
compression memory 121 is sent to the expansion IC 123 via the DRAM
control IC 111, where the compressed image data is expanded, and
the expanded image data is repeatedly expanded by the write
processor 124 in the LD 154A, whereby the image data can be printed
on the roll of sheet S.
[0093] In the case where the image formation apparatus 1 is used as
a copier, print conditions (print mode) and other pieces of
information set via the operation section 140 are notified, and the
control CPU 113 creates setting information. The created setting
information can be stored in a RAM in the control CPU 113.
[0094] In the case where the image formation apparatus 1 is used as
a printer, the printing conditions are set by a printer driver in
the external apparatus (PC) 3. The thus set printing conditions are
sent via the external apparatus (PC) 3, the LAN IF 165, the image
memory 162, the DRAM control IC 161 (controller), and the DRAM
control IC 111 (main body) and stored in the page memory 122, in
the same manner in which an image is sent and stored.
[0095] In the printer section 150, the printer control section 151
having received an instruction from the control CPU 113 controls
each section of the printer section 150.
[0096] In the case where the image formation apparatus 1 outputs an
image, the printing conditions can be set via the operation section
140, and the control CPU 113 can control the printing in accordance
with the setting. The printing conditions can include a sheet feed
tray setting in which a sheet profile is set.
[0097] In the image formation section 13, after a toner image
written on each of the photosensitive bodies 15 is transferred onto
the intermediate transfer belt 16, the toner images are transferred
by the secondary transfer roller 18 onto the roll of sheet S
supplied by the sheet feeder 200 and fixed by the fixing section
19. The sheet on which an image has been formed is transported
along the transport path 22 to the sheet ejection adjuster 400 and
wound by the winder 500, which is located on the downstream side,
into a roll, and the roll is held in winder 500.
[0098] The above description has been made with reference to a case
where the control CPU 113 controls extraction of a sheet profile,
display of a memorandum of the sheet profile, registration of the
sheet profile, and other types of action. Instead, a control
section provided in a management apparatus connected to the image
formation apparatus over a network can control the image formation
apparatus, and the control section in the management apparatus can
control the display and registration of a memorandum of a sheet
profile described above and other types of action. An image
formation method and an image formation program in the latter case
fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0099] A sheet profile database will next be described with
reference to a conceptual view of FIG. 4.
[0100] The sheet profile database, which allows registration of a
plurality of sheet profiles, is stored, for example, in the
nonvolatile memory 115. FIG. 4 shows an example in which sheet
profile data are stored in a nonvolatile memory (SSD: solid-state
drive).
[0101] A sheet profile contains the type of sheet, basis weight,
punched holes, color attribute, and other characteristics and
further contains the contents of settings of the wound amount,
shaft no-rotation/rotation, and ionizer in the form of memorandum.
The type of sheet, basis weight, punched holes, color attribute,
and other characteristics are items set as items contained in a
sheet profile in related art, and in this example, the memorandum
(such as the wound amount) is added to the items to create a sheet
profile.
[0102] The type of sheet, basis weight, punched holes, color
attribute, and other characteristics are items controllable by the
control section, and a variety of types of control are performed on
the apparatus on the basis of the contents of the settings. For
example, a sheet feed tray is selected on the basis of the type of
sheet, the basis weight, and other factors. Further, for example,
punching is controlled on the basis of the punched hole setting,
and image formation is controlled on the basis of the color
attribute. The contents of the settings can be set by a user via
the operation section 140 or can be first set at default values and
then changed.
[0103] Among the contents of the settings described above, the
wound amount, shaft no-rotation/rotation, and ionizer are recorded
by use of the memorandum function and correspond to the mechanical
adjustment values. The control section can only display the
contents but cannot control the apparatus on the basis of the
contents of the settings. Further, the control section cannot
compare the contents of the settings in the form of a memorandum
with the contents of actual settings for confirmation purposes.
[0104] The contents of the steps using the sheet profile described
above will next be described with reference to the flowchart of
FIG. 5.
[0105] A roll of sheet is first loaded into the sheet feeder 200
(feeder) (step s01) and joined with the winder (step s02). A sheet
profile is then extracted, and a memorandum screen is displayed
(step s03). The displayed memorandum screen shows a part of the
content in the present embodiment. The display of the memorandum
screen is performed under the control of the control section.
[0106] The user then adjusts the tension of the sheet (step s04).
The user can run the sheet by several meters to check the degree of
shift thereof (step s05).
[0107] The user further evaluates whether the tension of the sheet
needs to be adjusted (step s06). When no adjustment of the tension
of the sheet is necessary (No in step s06), a job is initiated
(step s09). On the other hand, when adjustment of the tension of
the sheet is necessary (Yes in step s06), the user adjusts the
tension of the sheet (step s07) and records the content of the
setting of the sheet tension adjustment in the sheet profile by
using the memorandum function (step s08). Realization of the
memorandum function is achieved by the embodiment of the present
invention. After the recording, the recording section stores the
sheet profile.
[0108] A job is then initiated (step s09). After the job is
initiated, the memorandum screen is closed (step s10). The control
section does not receive any instruction from the user but performs
the procedure of closing the memorandum screen when the job is
initiated.
[0109] Since the fact that a print job is carried out means that
the adjustment has been completed, automatically closing the
memorandum screen stops keeping the contents of the memorandum
displayed, whereby necessary information, such as display of the
print job and print materials, can be displayed. Further, no
operation of causing the memorandum screen to transition to another
is required.
[0110] The procedure of extracting and displaying a sheet profile
will next be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6.
The following procedure is performed under the control of the
control section.
[0111] It is assumed in the image formation apparatus that the
function of displaying a memorandum of a sheet profile can be
enabled and disabled.
[0112] When the image formation apparatus starts drawing a machine
state setting screen, it is evaluated whether the memorandum
display has been enabled (step s20). The memorandum display is so
set in advance as to be ON or OFF, and the setting is stored, for
example, in the nonvolatile memory 115.
[0113] When the memorandum display has not been set ON (No in step
s20), it is evaluated whether a sheet profile is extracted (step
s27). When the memorandum display has been set ON (Yes in step
s20), it is evaluated whether a sheet profile has been read (step
s21). Sheet profiles are stored, for example, in the nonvolatile
memory. When no sheet profile has been read (No in step S21), it is
evaluated in step s27 whether a sheet profile is extracted.
[0114] When a sheet profile has been read (Yes in step s21), the
parameters of the wound amount, shaft no-rotation/rotation, and
ionizer in the sheet profile are referred to (step s22). The
parameters are displayed in a sheet tension area of the mechanical
state screen (step s23). The parameters are displayed in a display
area separate from a display area where the controllable parameters
in the sheet profile are displayed.
[0115] According to the procedure described above, the operator
does not need to intentionally extract the memorandum screen,
preferably resulting in a decrease in the cumbersomeness of the
operation. The automatic display of the parameters also serves as a
warning that prompts the operator to make mechanical adjustment,
preferably resulting in elimination of the operator's mistake
(preventing operator from forgetting adjustment).
[0116] It is then evaluated whether a setting change button in the
sheet tension area has been pressed (step s24). When the sheet
tension setting change button has not been pressed (No in step
s24), it is evaluated in step s27 whether a sheet profile is
extracted.
[0117] When the sheet tension setting change button has been
pressed (Yes in step s24), a sheet tension registration screen is
displayed (step s25), and the operator's operation of changing the
sheet tension is accepted and registered (updated) (step s26),
followed by evaluation of whether a sheet profile is extracted in
step s27.
[0118] When a sheet profile is extracted (Yes in step s27), a sheet
profile is extracted and memorandum display is turned on (step
s28), followed by transition to step s20.
[0119] When no sheet profile is extracted (No in step s27), a print
job is received (step s29), and the memorandum display is turned
off (step s30), followed by termination of the process. Whether a
sheet profile is extracted can be determined by the user or can be
set in advance in accordance with the setting of the machine.
[0120] FIG. 7 shows an example of screens before the sheet profile
screen is invoked.
[0121] In a mechanical state screen 1400 (upper left screen in FIG.
7) displayed in the operation section 140, a sheet field 1401 is
displayed. When the sheet field 1401 is pressed, a sheet setting
screen 1410 is displayed. In the sheet setting screen 1410, an
extraction button 1411 and a setting registration button 1412 are
so displayed that they can be pressed. When the extraction button
1411 is pressed, a sheet type list screen 1420 is displayed. The
sheet type list can be a list in which mechanical adjustment values
controllable by the control section are set. The mechanical
adjustment values correspond to a second mechanical adjustment
value in the present invention. When a desired sheet type is
selected in the sheet type list screen 1420, the contents of the
selected sheet type are extracted and reflected in the sheet
setting screen 1410. The contents in the sheet setting screen 1410
are registered as a sheet profile, for example, in the nonvolatile
memory when the setting registration button 1412 is pressed.
[0122] In the sheet setting screen 1410, a setting change button
1413 is further so displayed that it can be pressed.
[0123] When the setting change button 1413 is pressed, the display
screen transitions to a screen where a memorandum can be displayed.
The contents of a memorandum are displayed in a display area
different from the sheet setting screen where the controllable
parameters in the sheet profile are displayed. In the embodiment,
three display examples are shown.
[0124] In the lower left example in FIG. 7, a memorandum setting
display screen 1430, in which the content of a memorandum is
displayed, is displayed in the form of a popup in the machine state
screen 1400, which is the top screen. The memorandum setting
display screen 1430 allows wound amount selection, Hi or Lo, shaft
no-rotation/rotation selection, no-rotation or rotation, and
ionizer selection, "use ionizer" or "use no ionizer," and further
allows display of results of the selection.
[0125] In the lower central example in FIG. 7, a sheet field 1431
is displayed in the machine state screen 1400, which is the top
screen, and allows the memorandum screen to be invoked.
[0126] In the lower right example in FIG. 7, a sheet field 1432 is
displayed in the machine state screen 1400, which is the top
screen, and a help button 1432A, which invokes the memorandum
screen, is displayed in the sheet field 1432.
[0127] Displaying the memorandum screen and the sheet profile
screen, which differs from the memorandum screen, in different
display areas allows the operator to view the contents of the two
screens in the way in which they are clearly separate from each
other, whereby mechanical adjustment values in the memorandum
screen will not be taken as setting values.
[0128] FIG. 8 is an example of a screen showing an example in which
the memorandum screen is displayed in the form of a popup.
[0129] The memorandum setting display screen 1430 is displayed in
the form of a popup in the machine state screen 1400.
[0130] In the memorandum setting display screen 1430, a mechanical
adjustment checkbox 1430A is provided for each of the wound amount,
the shaft no-rotation/rotation, and the ionizer. In the wound
amount checkbox, "Hi" or "Lo" is selectable. In the shaft
no-rotation/rotation checkbox, "no-rotation" or "rotation" is
selectable. In the ionizer checkbox, "use ionizer" or "use no
ionizer" is selectable. A set content is labeled with a checkmark
and therefore clearly shown. The set contents correspond to a first
mechanical adjustment value.
[0131] An illustration 1430B, which illustrates setting items, is
shown in a right portion of the memorandum setting display screen
1430 and allows the operator to readily grasp the position of each
of the items.
[0132] Displaying adjustment values paired with an illustration
allows the operator to intuitively identify target portions and
eliminates adjustment mistakes, preferably resulting in reduction
in waste paper.
[0133] The memorandum setting display screen 1430 displayed in the
form of a popup is closed when a print job is received.
[0134] FIG. 9 is an example in which the memorandum screen is
embedded in the top screen.
[0135] In this example, the sheet field 1431 is displayed in the
machine state screen 1400, and a sheet tension information setting
button 1431A is so displayed in the sheet field 1431 that the
button can be pressed.
[0136] When the sheet tension information setting button 1431A is
pressed, a memorandum setting display screen 1440 is so displayed
as to be embedded in the machine state screen 1400. In the
memorandum setting display screen 1440, mechanical adjustment
checkboxes 1440A and an illustration 1440B, which shows portions
where mechanical adjustments are made, are displayed, as in the
case of the memorandum setting display screen 1430. In the
memorandum setting display screen 1440, a close button 1440C is so
displayed that it can be pressed. When the close button 1440C is
pressed, the screen transitions to the machine state screen 1400 in
which the sheet field 1431 is displayed. The memorandum setting
display screen 1440 is closed when a print job is received.
[0137] FIG. 10 is an example of a screen in which the memorandum
screen is displayed by using a help function.
[0138] The sheet field 1432 is displayed in the machine state
screen 1400, and a help button 1432A is so displayed in the sheet
field 1432 that the button can be pressed.
[0139] When the help button 1432A is pressed, a memorandum display
screen 1450, which displays the content of a memorandum, is
displayed in the machine state screen 1400, as shown in FIG. 11. In
the memorandum display screen 1450, a setting content display
1450A, which displays mechanical adjustment values along with an
illustration, is displayed. A "memo" button 1450B is so displayed
in the memorandum display screen 1450 that the button can be
pressed.
[0140] When the "memo" button 1450B is pressed, a memorandum
setting display screen 1460 is displayed in the form of a popup. In
the memorandum setting display screen 1460, mechanical adjustment
checkboxes 1460A allow setting the mechanical adjustments, and an
illustration 1460B for mechanical adjustments is displayed. In the
memorandum setting display screen 1460, a close button 1460C is so
displayed that it can be pressed. When the close button 1460C is
pressed, the memorandum setting display screen 1460 is closed.
Further, when any of the settings has been changed in the
memorandum setting display screen 1460, the content of the change
is stored, for example, in the nonvolatile memory.
[0141] The memorandum setting display screen 1460 is closed when a
print job is received.
[0142] The above description has been made on the assumption that a
sheet profile contains the content of a memorandum. Instead, a
sheet profile and the content of a memorandum can be stored in the
form of separate data sets but related to each other.
[0143] That is, according to the present embodiment, setting
information relating to a transfer medium can be memorized in the
form of a memorandum, whereby the setting information can be
readily checked and the amount of operator's mistake is therefore
reduced. Further, the setting can be readily performed, preferably
resulting in improvement in productivity.
[0144] The present invention has been described on the basis of the
embodiment described above, but the present invention is not
limited to the contents of the embodiment described above. The
scope of the embodiment described above can be changed as
appropriate to the extent that the change does not depart from the
scope of the present invention.
[0145] Although the present invention has been described and
illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by
way of illustrated and example only and is not to be taken by way
limitation, the scope of the present invention being interpreted by
terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *